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Sports Betting, Youth and the Super Bowl: Be Informed and Aware

Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest "gambling day" of the year for sports bettors. In the spirit of Prevention Strategy Number One: Information and Awareness, we devote this Newsletter edition to some facts and figures about Super Bowl Betting, the link with youth and student athletes, and what problem signs to look for in the student population.

Of the 120 billion dollars Americans spend on illegal gambling every year, 80 billion dollars is spent on sports. It is estimated that over 4 billion dollars was wagered illegally on the 1998 Super Bowl alone (Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.).

While we do not know for certain how many of those placing bets on the Super Bowl are high school or college age youth, we do know that the proliferation of office pools, pre-game publicity and other hype create open invitations to place bets on this single-most promoted sporting event of the year. Many bettors see it as a time to recoup money lost on the football season, and/or a time to party and have fun. Drinking alcohol and the Super Bowl go hand in hand, as evidenced by the exorbitant amount of money spent by the beer industry on game-time commercials. And for youth, the sports/alcohol/gambling connection is becoming all too clear:

	The recent CT Council on Problem Gambling Teen Study indicated 87% of high school students had gambled for money at some time; and students who gamble excessively are more likely to abuse substances and vice versa.
	The FBI says it appears nearly every major college has a bookmaking operation on or near the campus
	A recent NCAA study of Division I football and basketball players revealed that 25.5% had gambled on a college sporting event
	National statistics indicate that 40% of all college students engage in binge drinking.

Being armed with the knowledge of what to look for is an important intervention strategy. Warning signs for possible teen gambling problems include:

Preoccupation with gambling to the exclusion of other interests

Calling 900 numbers for sports scores

Missing money or possessions in the house

Using lunch or bus money to gamble

Coming to parents to pay gambling debts

Displaying unexplained wealth

Unusual interest in sports scores and point spreads over favorite teams and who wins

If you are concerned that a young person you care about has a gambling problem, or know a family in this situation, encourage them to contact the Problem Gambling Helpline in your area and/or seek professional help at a gambling treatment facility.

By being aware of the potential risks associated with sports betting, understanding the vulnerability of the youth population, and knowing how to access assistance and support, we can be better prepared to help those young people who may need assistance.

Prevention of Problem Gambling, January 1999